How to Fertilize a Garden With Compost

A garden is a great addition to any home as it can brighten up a dull landscape and also provide food to eat. Store bought fertilizer can be expensive, however. Luckily, one can fertilize a garden with compost much more cheaply. All one needs are a few leftovers, some spare time and the steps provided in this article.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compost materials
• Compost bin
• Mixing tool

1. Till the place for the garden by using a rototiller or by tilling the soil by hand. This is very important because it aerates the soil to allow the roots of the plants. Remember that earthworms are a sign of good soil and they also help to improve soil.

2. Get a compost bin. These can be rotating compost bins or just plain garbage cans. Be sure to have a tool to mix the compost with if one does not have a rotating compost bin.

3. Add kitchen scraps to the compost bin. Coffee grounds, potato peels and fruit skins are all great for compost. Never put meat or dairy products into the compost, as the compost will attract unwanted bugs. These meat and dairy products include eggs and their shells, so be very careful when adding kitchen scraps to the compost bin.

4. Put grass clippings, pine needles, leaves and cow manure into the compost bin. These decompose well, which is what one is looking for.

5. Aerate the compost. Mix the compost frequently, especially when one adds new items. Also be sure that the compost is not too dry or too wet and that there is not too much of any particular item in the compost. Compost is finished when it is dark brown in color, and smells like dirt.

6. Spread the compost into the tilled soil and sow the plants.